TSMC's Japan fab evacuates staff after strong earthquake
Taipei, July 28
Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s subsidiary in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, evacuated employees after a powerful earthquake struck the region Tuesday afternoon, according to the company, as per a report in Focus Taiwan.
In a statement, TSMC said the evacuation was carried out in accordance with its emergency response procedures after the quake met its evacuation criteria, adding that ensuring employee safety was its top priority, according to Focus Taiwan's report.
All personnel inside and outside the facility were evacuated and were being accounted for, the company said.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. local time and registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, according to Japan Broadcasting Corp, NHK.
Kikuyo Town, where the JASM fabrication plant is located, recorded a seismic intensity of upper 5, NHK reported.
Authorities were assessing the impact of the earthquake, while the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for affected coastal areas, according to the broadcaster.
President Lai Ching-te expressed his condolences in a Japanese-language post on X on behalf of the people of Taiwan, saying he was praying for the safety of those affected.
Lai added that Taiwan and Japan are true friends who have stood by each other through difficult times, and said Taiwan stands ready to assist if needed.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Amazing how quickly they acted. Safety first, always. 🇯🇵🙏 Hope everyone is safe and the facility is not too damaged.
It's reassuring to see TSMC prioritizing employee safety over operations. But the bigger issue here is the fragility of global semiconductor supply chains. One earthquake and we're reminded how concentrated chip production is. India's push for self-reliance in electronics manufacturing can't come soon enough. We should learn from Japan's discipline in handling such crises.
Prayers for everyone in Japan 🙏. Taiwan and Japan are true allies, and it's heartwarming to see President Lai expressing support. But let's not forget that India also has strong ties with both countries, and we too sent aid after the 2011 tsunami. Global cooperation is key in disasters like this. Hope the fab resumes quickly without major disruptions.
While the evacuation is commendable, I find it concerning how dependent the world is on a few companies in seismic zones. This could have been a massive disruption. India needs to accelerate its own chip fabs under the Make in India initiative. We can't keep relying on external supply for critical technology. Arrey, we have the talent, just need faster execution!
Good to see TSMC following protocols. But honestly, the article doesn't mention whether the facility suffered any damage to equipment or inventory. That would be crucial for investors and consumers. Also, Indian authorities should take note of such evacuation procedures—especially for our own high-tech zones in earthquake-prone areas like the Northeast.
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